Kazakhstani mining company’s libel lawsuit against British author dismissed by High Court judge March 2, 2022 A libel lawsuit, put forward by a Kazakhstani mining company against Financial Times journalist Tom Burgis over his new book, has been thrown out of court. A High Court judge dismissed a case brought forward by Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), after the firm sued Burgis for libel, over comments made in the first two [...]
Magic Circle law firm Allen & Overy vows not to take on any more Russian clients March 2, 2022 Magic Circle law firm Allen & Overy has vowed not take on any more Russian clients, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The City of London law firm said it is “reviewing” its “Russia-related portfolio” with a view to stopping “all Russia-linked work that goes against our values.” The firm also said it will [...]
Conservative MP Bob Seely names and shames ‘amoral’ lawyers working for ‘Putin’s henchmen’ March 2, 2022 Conservative MP Bob Seely has spoken out against the UK lawyers working on behalf of Russian oligarchs, after accusing them of teaming up with Putin’s henchman to silence the British press. The MP for the Isle of Wight said the UK’s legal system had become “corrupted” by money from kleptocrats, as he accused lawyers of [...]
Slater & Gordon cuts divorce fees in half ahead of new laws allowing for ‘no-fault divorce’ March 1, 2022 Slater & Gordon has halved the price of getting a divorce, in preparation for the introduction of new laws allowing for “no fault divorce” next month. The law firm said it would cut fixed fees charged to those seeking a divorce from £1,020 to £540, plus court fees. The decision comes as the government [...]
Fried Frank poaches 35 of New York rival Cadwalader’s staff March 1, 2022 New York law firm Fried Frank has poached 35 professionals from its New York rival Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Fried Frank is set to take on five partners from New York’s oldest law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. In the coming weeks, 15 Cadwalader lawyers and a further 15 professional services employees will also join [...]
McKinsey and BCG face calls to cut ties with Russian businesses, after pledging to sever links with Putin government March 1, 2022 Consultancy giants McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) are facing calls to further sever their links to Russia, after both firms said they would stop working with the Russian government. The calls come after the UK government called on City of London firms to cut ties with Putin’s regime. Consulting giant McKinsey is facing calls [...]
Law Society says it supports law firms working on behalf of Russian oligarchs March 1, 2022 The Law Society of England and Wales has come out in support of law firms acting on behalf of Russian oligarchs, as City of London law firms face pressure to cut ties with Russia, amid claims they are working on behalf of Vladimir Putin’s allies to block the UK government’s sanctions regime. The comments come [...]
Law firms Linklaters and Baker McKenzie consider cutting ties with Russia February 28, 2022 Magic Circle law firm Linklaters and Chicago law firm Baker McKenzie have said they are considering cutting links to Russia, as law firms face mounting pressure to sever any links with the Putin regime. In an email to City A.M. a Baker McKenzie spokesperson said the firm is currently reviewing its ties to Russia with [...]
PwC buys up Australia’s biggest tax advisor Greenwoods February 28, 2022 PwC has acquired Australia’s largest tax advisory firm, Greenwoods, as part of a deal which will see 15 Greenwoods partners and 50 Greenwoods staff join the Big Four accountancy firm. PwC said it had acquired specialist tax advisory firm Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills, an affiliate of Silver Circle law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. The [...]
UK government seeking to give courts new powers to track down crypto assets February 25, 2022 The UK government is drawing up new rules to tackle crypto fraud, with a view to making it easier for courts to trace crypto assets. Speaking at a legal conference yesterday, Sir Geoffrey Vos, one of Britain’s most senior judges, said a sub-committee of the body that writes the rules for civil courts, is seeking [...]